Clasp



Nov. 26, l929.\

F.A W. JON ES CLASP Filed Aug. 25. 1928 arr/1111111111111 IN VEN TOR.

BY @www A TTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 26, 1923 UN'EE STLTS annate arries- PEECIVAL W. JONES, FWARWCK, RHODE ESLAND, ASSGNOB TO ROSENEEM C0.`

INC., 0F PROVIDENCE, RHODE SLALFD, A COEOEATEON 0F RHODE SLAND CLASPApplication filed August 25, 1928. Serial No. 302,094.

This invention relates to an improved construction of clasp for chainsand flexible bracelets and the like; and has 'for its object to providea construction having a resilient part which is so mounted vas to notdetrimeir tally aect its spring action.

A further object of the invention is the provision of two separablemembers one of which carries a catch part and the other of which carriesa. pair of resilient arms which are formed from spring steel or the likeand riveted to the member upon which they are mounted.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certainnovel teatu es of construction, as will be more fully described, andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the bracelet clasp in attached positionsecuring the separable ends ot the mesh bracelet or strap together.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view with the top of the clasp removed showing theresilient arms in engaging position.

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of one ot the members of the clasp.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view o' the other mem- 30 ber of the clasp.

Fig.- 5 is a perspective view of the tongue of one member of the clasp.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the resilient arms.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view thru thev tongue and resilient part incentral position.

Fig. 8 is a sectional side view of the other member of the clasp.

In the use of bracelets for securing a watch to the wrist of the wearer,it is found desirable to provide a so-called center clasp positionedmidway between the ends of the bracelet which are attached to the bailsof a wrist watch so that the bracelet may be disconnected at thismid-point 'for removing the watch from the wrist and in a device sopositioned, it is of advantage to provide a thin construction to avoidobstruction to the arm in writing but yet form the same in adurable,strong manner which will not be inadvertently detached to permitloss of the watch; and the following is a detailed description of thepresent embodiment ot this invention illustrating t-he preferred meansby Vwhich these advantageous results may be accomplished.

l/Vith reference to the drawings., 10 designates one member ot the clasphaving a tongue portion 11 and clamping means 12 pivotally securedthereto tor attaching it to the .mesh strap 13. Y

Tubular rivets 11i are drawn upward trom the tongue and extend thruopenings 15k in the compressible part 1G and are headed over as at 28 tosecure this compressible part firmiy in engagement with the tongue 11.rhe compressible part has two arms 17a each ot which is formed with ashoulder portion 18 to engage the catch part 19 formed by recesses 2O inthe other member 21 ot the`clasp, which is attachedvto the strap 13 byasimilar clamp 12. The compressible' part is Vformed separately and maybe made ci hardened material to better withstand the flexing actionnecessary tor its operation and by attaching this by the hollow rivets14 rather than'by solder this resiliency is not lost thru annealing.

Finger engaging portions `on the compressible arms extend outwardlybeyond the edge of the tongue 11 into position to be manualiy engagedfor moving the arms 17 toward each other to disengage them from thecatch parts 19 of the housing or socket member 21. 1t will be apparentfrom the shape ot' the compressible part 16 that the arms may be readilycompressed for such disengagement.

The socket or housing member 21 has a top wall 22, bottom wall 23 andside walls 24, the latter ot which are provided with recesses oropenings 2O forming an abutment for engaging the shoulder 18 ot the arm17j when these arms 'arev noncompressed. The tongue acts as a guide inpositioning the two members ot the clasp together and is of a size tosnugly lit the socket member 21 so as to prevent a relative lateralmovement between the members 10 and 21 and accidental release of thearms 17 Vtrom sition.

engaging po- It will thus be seen that I have provided a clasp Which isof strong construction and may be made Without any solderingoperationwhich might detrimenta-lly affect the resiliency of its parts,and yet one Which may be madeexceedingly thin to take up the minimumspace upon the Wrist of the wearer.

The foregoing description is directed solely towards the constructionillustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve theprivilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the deviceis susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by theterms of the appended'claims.

l. A clasp for a bracelet strap or the like comprising a pair ofmembers, means for securing said members to the ends of a bracelet, oneof said members having a tongue Vbase With integral rivets, a separateresilient compressible part through which said rivets extend to securethe same to said base to form a tongue, said resilient compressible parthaving a laterally protruding latch, and the other of said membershaving side Walls, one side Wall having an opening adapted to be enteredby 'said latch to detachably secure said members together.V

2. A clasp for a bracelet strap or the like comprising Va pair ofmembers', means for securing said members to the ends of a bracelet, oneof said members having a tongue base with integral rivets, a separateresilient compressible part through which saidY rivets eX- tend tosecure the same to said base to form a tongue, said resilientcompressible part havy ing a laterally protruding latch, extending fromleach side thereof, and the other of said members having side Walls, eachside Wall having an opening adapted to be entered by the latch adjacentthereto to detachably secure said members together.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

PERCIVAL W. JONES.

